Correcting my mistakes.  That is what I made this video about.  While recently dyeing a surplus MOLLE 2 pack belt to check the progress and color of it was placed in the sink.  My thought was run cold water over it to cool it so it could be easier to handle.  That turns out was the wrong thing to do.

When the belt was taken out of the dye bath it was in it’s original shape and retained the cushioning properties.  After the belt was placed in the sink, the cold water was turned on.  The moment the cold water hit the molded foam part of the belt it collapsed in an instant.  I was watching when it happened.  It looked like a vacuum sucked all the air out of it.

Total disbelief and amazement.  I stood there and stared at it for a moment because of the shock.  After that?  Time to fix it.

The materials were on hand to make the belt useable again.  Closed cell foam that won’t absorb liquids and 1000D Cordura to cover it with binding on the edges with military spec DOT brand snaps.  At first I thought that I could  cover a single piece of foam, attach it and I’m on my way.  That was not going to work because of the geometry.  I decided to make the pads in three pieces attached by snaps.  Both item I can repair or remake in my shop.

The video was made over a year ago so the first microphone I was using will sound much different than the microphone I used to do the voiceover.  The difference will be noticeable.  Nearly all of the video and many others from that time frame had music playing in the background that would for sure get a copyright claim on YouTube.

Lessons learned, turn the music down when I’m speaking/recording so I can save myself the hassle of fixing it later.  And, don’t run that molded foam under cold water when removing it from the hot dye bath! -13

Here’s the repair video.